'Alarm' as charities struggle amid rising costs

There is "concern and alarm" as charities that provide a lifeline to thousands of people are struggling to stay open amid rising costs.

Age UK Wiltshire said a rise in National Insurance, coupled with surging fuel prices, has cost them an additional £70,000 a year.

Three other charities in the county – Carers Support Wiltshire, Relationships Wessex and Home-Start South Wiltshire - closed this year, while others have made emergency fundraising appeals.

Neil Cotton, Wessex Community Action (WCA) director of partnerships, said it is both concerning and alarming that charities have permanently closed and others are making contingencies to maintain their services at a time when demand is rising.

A DCMS spokesperson said the department was under no illusions about the financial challenges facing charities and the culture sector.

"We are supporting our charities through one of the world's most generous tax regimes for the sector, which provided £6bn in relief last year alone, including exemptions from paying business rates," they added.

Rosemary Nicholson, a full-time carer for her husband who has vascular dementia, said attending Age UK support sessions in Bradford-on-Avon was an "absolute life-saver" for her, offering "two hours of relief".

She added that her fortnightly support sessions were a lifeline.

She said: "I meet other people, we have a laugh, I feel like a normal person for two hours, I feel me.

"You can't put a price on laughter, it's given me a bit of purpose every fortnight."

Age UK Wiltshire has 90 staff and 200 volunteers providing activities and meal delivery for older people across Wiltshire and Swindon.

CEO Sarah Cardy said the organisation was eating into its reserves.

"Nearly £550 extra a month we're having to pay on fuel.

"We don't want to put a cost onto the customers but at some point that may happen - we can't run it at a loss," she said.

"When you have staff and volunteers on lower wages, they might start to think, 'can I afford to come into the office, can I afford to volunteer'," Cardy said.

The WCA said it had lobbied Wiltshire Council and the NHS for funding.

Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board said officials are continuing work with voluntary, community and social enterprise groups (VCSE) to understand local needs.

Councillor Mel Jacob, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for communities, said increasing funding for VCSEs was one of the council's "five priorities" including the Wiltshire Community Lottery.

"Current projections for this initiative would see £37,000 of additional funding into local good causes.

"The council continues to invest over £880,000 per annum into VCSE organisations," Jacob added.

In 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves increased NI contributions from 13.8% to 15%, and lowered the threshold at which businesses start paying NI from £9,100 to £5,000.

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